Mallon 'honoured' to be Lord Mayor

The 34-year-old said she was "honoured" after she became the third woman ever to hold the office following her appointment on Monday evening.She replaces outgoing Lord Mayor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir of Sinn Féin.Meanwhile the role of deputy Lord Mayor has gone to councillor Maire Hendron of Alliance, marking the first time the two positions have been held by women.Councillor Nichola Mallon was co-opted onto Belfast City Council to represent Oldpark in 2010 and was voted back onto the council following the recent local government elections.She has pledged to showcase the "unsung heroes" of Belfast during her time as Lord Mayor."I want to take The Lord Mayor's role out of city hall and into people's lives - their homes, their communities, their places of work," she said."I want to connect with those who at times feel invisible in our city. I want to celebrate and showcase our unsung heroes who really are Belfast's first citizens."Belfast is a city for everyone. Where everyone belongs and where we are all the better for having each other. I look forward to the months ahead in my new role."Councillor Maire Hendron also said she wanted to work to represent all in the city.She added: "I want to work with all groups from different backgrounds to further improve Belfast's diversity, which is a source of strength for our society."I want to pay tribute to my husband Jim. As a founding member of the Alliance Party, Jim has never wavered in his dedication to building a shared society for everyone. This year I will make it my aim to work hard to secure a strong and united city."I know I will work well with the new Lord Mayor, Nichola Mallon, and I am delighted that this will be the first occasion that women will hold both the positions of Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast together."What an amazing evening! Thank you to everyone who sent me such kind words of support and best wishes. There's no better city in the world.— Nichola Mallon (@NicholaMallon) June 2, 2014